Ukraine abandons non-aligned status

Ukraine’s parliament has voted to abandon the country’s non-aligned status, a move that could be a step towards seeking membership in Nato.

Although Ukraine pursued Nato membership several years ago, it declared itself a non-bloc country after Russia-friendly Viktor Yanukovych became president in 2010.

Mr Yanukovych fled the country in February after months of street protests that exploded into violence, and was replaced by Western-leaning Petro Poroshenko in May.

Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine and its support for a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine appear partly rooted in fears that the Western military alliance could expand its presence on the Russian border by allowing Ukraine to join.